This post is going to be brief, only because the day was very long.
We began the morning with the Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard & Pipers for their annual remembrance ceremony on the Ruston Waterway at the Tacoma Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
As uniformed personnel, and civilians stood side by side, the pipes played and viewers held close to their loved ones. There were quiet sniffles and tears as we listened to Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma, and TFD Fire Chief Ron Stephens.
From the young recruits at Bates Tech, who stood in formation for the duration to the old hands on deck, all paid their respects.
We were honored to stand and honor all of our heroes present, and those no longer with us.
Afterward we went to McChord Air Force Base to present the flag given to us for this purpose by Shanksville Fire Chief Terry Shafer. He signed a personal messages to the MAFB firefighters, and we chose this as the most appropriate day to make the presentation. I think we caught them offguard, but as we were readying to leave we heard the mention of a new display case for this special honor ... We will follow up on this one and post the displayed flag when we get notified.
But our day was not over. It was off to Safeco Field for the Hero To Hero Color Guard to open the Mariners special 9/11 tribute game. This was just very cool! **Right up to the point that yours truly realized I had shot so many pictures today that I had no battery left ... just as they officially hit the field!
But this was a day of heroes ... and right about now, I have to say that the attending Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln were my personal heroes tonight! AS I stood their on the field, the sad realization that I had no camera was killing me. I looked around and over my shoulder was a handsome young sailor with a nice fancy camera, and a huge lens. I'm sure I appeared desperate ... and for the record I was.
Our multi agency color guard marched beautifully onto the filed to the pitcher's mound, flags flying ... and our name on the big screen ... and I was in a jam.
The sailors, with their camera and camcorder really stepped up and saved me. Captain Patrick Hall, thank you for allowing your troops to help us out. You did a lot for this troop morale campaign! **We swapped business cards and I will get and post their photos when I receive them. But be advised that I am leaving early in the morning for Colorado Springs for the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial, so those pictures will have to wait for my return next week.
In the meantime, please enjoy these photos of our day. Mostly we want to share that America's Heroes have not forgotten. America has not forgotten!
Hug a hero, kiss your loved one.
lj & the crew
PS ... There will be more pictures from today and more written after the memorial.
There are some specific thanks we want to make and let you know who was involved today ... Stay tuned!
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